Christian religion: substantially, methodicalli[e,] [pla]inlie, and profitablie treatised

EZRA. chap. 9. verse. 6.

6 And said, O my God, I am confounded and ashamed to lift vp mine eyes vnto thee my God: for our iniquities are increased ouer our head, and our trespasse is growen vp vnto the heauen.

WHat are the things that generally follow sinne?

They are two: guilt and punishment; both which doe most duely wait vpon sinne, to enter with it, and cannot by any force or cunning of man, or Angell, be holden from entring vpon the person that sinne hath already entred vpon.

VVhat is the guilt of sinne?

It is the merit and desert of sinne, whereby we be∣come subiect vnto the punishment of God.

Is there any euill in the guilt before the punishment be executed?

Very much: for it worketh vnquietnes in the minde; as when a man is bound in an obligation vpō a great forfeiture, the very obligation it selfe disquie∣teth him; especially if he be not able to pay it (as we are not:) and yet more, because where other debts haue a day set for paiment, we know not whether the Lord will demand by punishment his debt this day before the morrow.

VVhat learne you from this?

That sith men should shun by all meanes to be in other mens debts or danger, as also the Apostle

exhorteth, Owe nothing to any man;* 1.1 and Salomon also counselleth in the matter of suertyship; we should more warely take heed, that we plunge not our selues ouer the eares in the Lords debt: for if it be a terrible thing to be bound to any man in statutes, sta∣ple, or marchant, or recognisance, much more to be bound to God, who will be paid to the vttermost farthing.

How els may the hurt and euill of the guilt of sinne be set forth vnto vs?

It is compared to a stroke that ligheth vpon the heart or soule of a man,* 1.2 where the wound is more dangerous then when it is in the body. And so it is al∣so a sting or a bit, worse then of a viper, as that which bringeth death.

Haue you yet wherewith to set foorth the euill of the guilt?

It seemeth when the Lord saith to Cain,* 1.3 if he sinne against his brother, his sinne lieth at the doore, that he compareth the guilt to a dog, which is alwaies ar∣ring and barking against vs: which is confirmed by the Apostle, who attributeth a mouth to this desert of sinne to accuse vs.

What is the effect of this guilt of conscience?

It causeth a man to flie, when none pursueth;* 1.4 and to be afraid at the fall of a leafe.

When a man doth not know whether hee sinne or no, how can he be smitten, or bitten, or barked at, or flie for feare? and therefore against all this euill, ignorance seemeth to be a safe remedie.

No verely: for whether he know it or no, his guilt remaineth: as the debt is debt, although a man know it not, and it is by so much more dangerous, as not

knowing it, he will neuer be carefull to discharge it, till the Lords arrest be vpon his back, when his know∣ledge will doe him no good.

We may see many which heap sin vpon sin, and know also that they sinne, and yet for all that cease not to make good cheere and make their hearts merrie.

* 1.5The countenance doth not alwaies speake truth, so that sometimes vnder a countenance in shew mer∣rie, there are pricks & stings in the conscience, which yet is oftentimes benummed, and somtimes through hypocrisie it is seared (as it were with an hot iron): but the Lord will finde a time to awaken and reuiue it, by laying all his sinnes before his face.

When it is knowne, what is the remedie of it?

First, it were wisedome not to suffer our guilt to runne long on the score, but reckon with our selues euery night ere wee lie downe to sleepe, and looke back to the doings of that day, that in those things that are well done we may be thankfull, and comfort our owne hearts: and in that which hath passed o∣therwise from vs, wee may call for mercie, and haue the sweeter sleepe.* 1.6 For if Salomon willeth vs in that case of debt by suertiship, to humble our selues to our Creditor, and not to take rest, till wee haue freed our selues; much more we ought to haste to humble our selues vnto God, sith the blood of Christ is the only sacrifice for sinne.

Is the guilt of sinne in all men alike?

* 1.7No: for as the sinne increaseth, so doth the guilt, both in regard of the greatnes, and of the number of our sinnes: as appeareth out of this text, whereas sin is said to bee gone aboue their heads, so the guilt to reach vp to the heauens.

When the sinne is gone and past is not the guilt also gone and past?

No: but when the act of sin is gone, the guilt re∣maineth alwaies; as the strong sauour of garlick whē the garlick is eaten; or as the marke of the burning, when the burning is past.

What is contrary to the guilt of sinne?

The testimonie of a good conscience, which is perpetuall ioy and comfort, yea and a heauen to him that walketh carefully in Gods obedience, as the o∣ther is a torment of hell.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rom. 13.8. Prou. 6.1.2.3.4.5.
• * 1.2

  Gen. 44.16. 1. Sam. 24.4.5.6.
• * 1.3

  Gen. 4. Rom. 2.15.
• * 1.4

  Prou. 28.1. Leuit. 26.36.
• * 1.5

  Rom 2.15. 1. Tim 4.2. Psal. 50.21.
• * 1.6

  Prou. 6.1.2.3.4.5.6.
• * 1.7

  Esra. 9.6.